Page 244 of Scoring the Player
“Yeah. Sometimes I catch him having full conversations with it. The other day, he said, ‘For fuck’s sake, Fred. That’s dark, even for you.’”
We both laugh.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” he says, frowning at the cup.
“Baby.” I pinch his chin and turn his face so I can see his eyes. “You can tell me if something’s wrong.”
“That’s what I’m saying.Nothingis wrong. I’m good. Better than I can ever remember.”
“So, nothing being wrong is making you anxious?” I question.
He nods. His palm’s clammy where it embraces my arm.
I pull him into my chest and kiss the top of his head. “That makes sense.”
“How?” he asks, hugging me back tightly.
“New is scary for you. Being in a relationship, one that makes you happy, is new.”
“But I want to be with you. I’m not running.”
“I know.” And I do know that. I can tell sometimes, like today, he struggles with anxiety, but I never doubt that he’s committed and wants this as much as I do.“Doesn’t mean it isn’t scary. What’s the thought that made you pick up and put down the cup?”
“Your flight on Wednesday. I had to make sure you’ll be safe.”
“You’re worried about me being safe?”
His forehead drops to my chest. “All the time.”
Sounds exhausting.“You’ve mentioned this to Zuri?”
“Yeah. We’re working through it.”
“How can I help?”
He shrugs.
“Go shower,” I say. “It’s my turn for date night, and I’m taking you out.”
“Where are we?”he asks as we approach a historical factory building in the DUMBO neighborhood of Brooklyn.
“You know how we always talk about missing out on doing stuff because we were in the closet for so long?” I ask as I lead him to the elevator. “I’ve started making a list for our date nights.”
“Really?” He crinkles his nose at me.
When we reach our floor and the doors open, a flash of gold whizzes past us.
The lights are low except in the center of the room, where spotlights of color light up the floor.
“For two?” A white guy with blond hair, rainbow wings, and booty shorts skates up to us.
“What do you say?” I yell to Blue over the music.
His eyes widen, and I follow his gaze to two men slow dancing together on skates.
“First time?” the guy asks, watching Blue’s face shift in to a small grin.
